Wagon-step



(No Model.) E. 'A. NICHOLS.

WAGON STEP.

No. 429,635. Patn ted June 10, 1890.

UNITED STATES PATE T OFFICE.

ELIZA A. NICHOLS, OF STORMVILLE, TEXAS.

WAGON-STEP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters-Patent No. 429,635, dated June 10,1890.

Application filed January 24, 1890.

To aZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, ELIZA A. NICHOLS, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Stormville, in the county of ood and State of Texas, have invented new and useful Improvements in W'agon-Steps, of which the following is a specification.

My invention has relation to improvements in wagon-steps; and the object is to provide a convenient and safe means for entering and getting out of a common wagon body or bed.

My invention consists in the novel construction of parts and their combination, as hereinafter will be fully described, and specially as the same is particularly and distinctly pointed out in the claims.

I attain the object of my invention by the means illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a view showing my improved wagon-step attached to a body of a wagon in position to be used for getting in the wagon. Fig. 2 is a view of the step detached from its support. Fig. 3 is a view of the support, taken in longitudinal central section, showing the seat for the shank of the step. Fig. 4 is aview showing the step drawn up and hooked to a keeper.

A designates the support for the step when in position for use. This consists of a substanti a1 piece of metal having a bolt-hole 1 at each end, through which are projected fasteningbolts 2 3, which are ext-ended through the side of the wagon-body and'provided with a washer or plate and fastening-nuts. This supporting plate or piece is chambered out, substantially as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings, having inclined parallel ends 4 5, terminating in extended shoulders 6 '7, from whence the metal is carried with parallel inclined sides 8 9, substantially as shown. The upper corner and the lower corner of opposite sides may be beveled oi, as seen at 10 11, in order that inlifting the step from its seat in the support it may be swung around to a straight or hori zontal position and carried back and hooked in the keeper out of the way. The support is secured against the side of the wagon-bed in an inclined position, so that the end walls of the seat therein are substantiallyvertical, which position gives to the step when in position for mounting a-vertical direction, sub- Serial No. 838,016. No model.)

tant-ially as shown, and brings the bearing of'the step directly in the line of the weight.

B designates the step. This consists of a substantial piece of metal of such dimensions as to meet the strains and purposes of its uses. The shank of the step (designated at 12) is of such length that when the step is seated in its support the foot-piece 13 will be at a convenient distance from the ground. The upper end of the shank is formed with a head 14, the contour of which is identical with the shape of the chamber or seat in the support A, and from the upper edge of this head-piece is projected or secured thereto a hook 15, which serves the double purpose of a means to retain the step in the hook 16, secured to the side of the bed of the wagon, and also as a handle by which the step may be removed from its seat in the support and carried to its position againstt-he bedof the wagon as shown in the drawings.

The different parts of the step are made of such strength as to meet the purposes of their construction, and are secured to the bed of the wagon in such a way that the support will be rigidly and firmly fixed thereto. It is preferable that the support A be of cast metal and the seat formed therein by a core at the time of casting. The head of the step proper is formed to fit the seat of the support snugly,

' but not so tight as to become wedged therein.

The use of my improved step is as follows: The support is secured to the side of the bed, substantially as shown, and the step arranged therein either before or after, which may be done by removing the bolts which secure the foot-step to the shank. If the step is desired for immediate use, it is left in the position shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings; but ifit is not desired for immediate use it is lifted from its seat by means of the hook on the head and drawn up and back and the hook lodged in the keeper fixed to the side of the wagon-bed. It will be observed that in this latter position the step is entirely out of the way.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The herein-described wagon-step, consisting of a shank and step provided with a hook on the head, in combination with the supporting-piece, adapted to be secured to the side of the wagon-bed and formed with a seat to receive and hold the head of the step, substantially as described, and for the purpose specified.

2. The herein-described wagon-step, consisting of the support-piece A, adapted to be secured to the side of a wagon-bed and formed with a chamber having parallel inclined end walls 4 5, extended shoulders 6 7, and parallel inclined end walls 8 9, in combination with the step B, formed witha head to fit the chamber of the support-piece, and a lifting and holding hook 15, substantially as described, and for the purpose specified.

3. The herein-described wagon-step, consisting of the support A, adapted to be secured to the side of a wagon-bed and formed with a chamber having parallel inclined end Walls nesses.

ELIZA A. NICHOLS. Attest:

F. L. MOORE, J. F. RAWLINGS. 

